Coin supply device for coin-operated gaming machine

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin supply machine, more particularly to an apparatus for receiving coins in a coin-operated gaming machine in order to play a game.

[0002] In a coin-operated gaming machine e.g. a slot machine, a coin including token must be inserted in a coin inlet before a game can be started. At least one coin is required for playing one game. To increase prize-winning lines for the purpose of enlarging the probability of winning a prize, or to enlarge odds for a dividend of a prize, two or three coins may be inserted.

[0003] In a convential slot machine, it is necessary for the player to insert coins manually coin by coin for each game, which is a highly laborious operation. For the automation of receiving coins in the slot machine, there has been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2-57284 a coin supply apparatus in which a greater number of coins can be together put in a coin containing portion, and coins are fed one by one before each game. The coin put in the coin containing portion of this coin supply apparatus is supplied to a hopper device, which is actuated before one game is played. The coin fed from this hopper device is detected by a coin sensor, and enters a hopper apparatus provided for payout. The slot machine is thereby in a state in which the coin is substantially admitted into the slot machine.

[0004] However, the hopper device of the coin supply apparatus described in the above document includes a revolution body having recesses formed on its circumference for receiving the respective coins in order to feed them successively. There is still a problem in that this coin supply apparatus is large in size.

[0005] US-A-4 457 320 and US-A-2 792 100 disclose coin feed devices in which stacked coins are separated by passing them on a moving belt under a contra-rotating roller. In US-A-4 457 320 on which the precharacterising portion of claim 1 is based coins fall from an insertion hopper through a labyrinthine chute onto a channel defined by a downwardly moving inclined belt which passes beneath portions of a roller protruding through the roof of the channel. The roller rotates so as to push stacked coins backwards.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved coin supply device which is of a small size and can separate coins.

[0007] According to the present invention there is provided a coin supply device for supplying a coin-operated machine with coins one by one, comprising:

a coin containing portion to receive plurality of manually inserted coins;

a first transport belt connected round a first downstream roller and a second upstream roller for transporting said coins supplied from said coin containing portion;

a first guide wall provided along a direction of transport of said first transport belt substantially upright relative to said first transport belt; and

a separating roller provided close to said transport belt and for rotating in the same direction as said downstream roller in order to allow to pass a lowest coin of said supplied coins lapping one over another on said first transport belt to be supplied to said coin-operated machine and to push back coins lapping over said lowest coin, characterised in that the separating roller is positioned above and directly opposite the first downstream roller and defines with said first transport belt a spacing of between substantially the thickness and twice the thickness of a coin of a predetermined kind at the point where the first transport belt passes around the first downstream roller.

[0008] Thus with the invention all the coins put in the coin supply device according can be fed successively to the slot machine and the size of the coin supply device can be smaller than that of a conventional coin supply device.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, a second transport belt is disposed to be downstream from the first transport belt for receiving and transporting the coins fed one by one through the spacing. The second transport belt is driven at a speed higher than the first transport belt in order to enlarge intervals of the coins supplied from the first transport belt.

[0010] The present invention will be further described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a slot machine incorporating a coin supply device in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the coin supply device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section view illustrating an important portion of the coin supply device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 to 8 are explanatory views illustrating an operation of two transport belts, and a separating roller of the coin supply device.

[0011] In Fig. 1, which shows a slot machine incorporating a coin supply device of the present invention, the slot machine 2 is provided with a front door 3 openable with respect to a main body of the slot machine 2. This front door 3 is provided with a start button 4, stop buttons 5 to 7, and a coin containing portion 8 capable of receiving at one plurality of coins 16 put therein, coin number specifying buttons 9 to 11, and a returning button 12 for paying out the coins 16 as put in. Inside the coin containing portion 8 and under the opening 8a formed within the coin containing portion 8, the coin supply device 13 according to the present invention is disposed, later to be described in detail. Two coin passageways or coin chutes 14 and 15 are connected to the downstream position of the coin supply device 13, as is indicated by the broken line in the drawings. The lower parts of the coin chutes 14 and 15 extend to a hopper apparatus 17 and a coin saucer 18 respectively.

[0012] A front panel 20 is mounted on an upper part of the door 3 above the stop buttons 5 to 7. Three reels 21 to 23 are rotatably disposed on a rear side of the front panel 20, and start rotating by operating the start button 4 after supplying coins to be played. Each reel 21 to 23 bears on its periphery various symbols such as "7", "orange" and "BAR". These symbols can be observed through three windows 24 to 26 formed in the front panel 20. A plurality of prize-winning lines 27 traverse the respective windows 24 to 26. The number of the effective lines is increased when a greater number of coins are inserted.

[0013] While the respective reels 21 to 23 are rotating, the stop buttons 5 to 7 can be actuated after the reels have reached a steady speed of rotation. When the stop buttons 5 to 7 are actuated at desired time intervals, stop control is initiated to stop the respective reels 21 to 23, whereupon a symbol combination corresponding to a timing of operating the stop buttons 5 to 7 is displayed on the effective prize-winning line 27. However, if the symbol combination that stops on the effective prize-winning line 27 is a prize-winning symbol combination, the number of coins corresponding to the prize-winning rank of that combination are paid out of the hopper apparatus 17 into the coin saucer 18. In case no buttons have been actuates within a predetermined period of time, the respective reels 21 to 23 are sequentially stopped by an automatic stop mechanism known per se.

[0014] Referring to Fig. 2 illustrating the coin supply device 13, a first transport belt 30 is disposed below the opening 8a within the coin containing portion 8 as indicated by the chain line for transporting inserted coins 16 laid thereon. In a location downstream from the first belt 30, a second transport belt 31 is arranged and driven at a transport speed higher than the first belt 30. On the upper surfaces of the first and second belts 30 and 31, a pair of parallel guide walls 32 and 33 are provided to be oblique relative to the transport direction of the belts 30 and 31. The two belts 30 and 31 are so disposed that a lateral edge of the side of the guide wall 32 is placed lower than that of the side of the guide wall 33. The guide wall 32 is thus in contact with the coins 16 fed by the belts 30 and 31. A partition wall 34 is formed on the rear ends of the walls 32 and 33. The walls 32 and 33, the partition wall 34 and a partition wall 48 later to be described define together a space where coins 16 to be supplied are received and reserved over the first belt 30.

[0015] The first belt 30 is connected round a drive roller 35 and a follower roller 36, and is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. The second belt 31 is connected round a drive roller 37 and a follower roller 38 for rotating in the direction of the arrow. The drive rollers 35 and 37 are driven by a motor 41 via a timing belt 40 which is regulated as to tension by a pulley 39. The motor 41 is controlled via a driver 42 by a microcomputer 43 for controlling the coin supply device 13.

[0016] A shaft 46 is disposed above the drive roller 35 to be rotated above the drive roller 35 to be rotated via a belt 45 in the rotary direction the same as the drive roller 35, or opposite to the direction of transporting the coins 16, and is supported by the walls 32 and 33 in parallel with the drive roller 35. A separating roller 47 is fixed on the shaft 46 between the guide walls 32 and 33, and separates the overlapping coins 16 one by one by pushing upper coins in the direction opposite to transport.

[0017] The separating roller 47 is constituted by roller cylinders 47c of a smaller diameter and a side roller portion 47e of a larger diameter. Two annular grooves 47a and 47b are formed between and beside the roller cylinders 47c around the shaft 46 at an interval smaller than the diameter of a predetermined kind of coin. The interval between the surface of the roller cylinders 47c and that of the first belt 30 is determined to be larger than the thickness of the predetermined coin and smaller than the double of its thickness, so that the lowest coin transported under the roller cylinders 47c can be passed through the spacing defined thereby. The interval between the surface of the side roller portion 47e and that of the first belt 30 is smaller than the thickness of the predetermited coin, so that any lower coin in contact with the side roller portion 47e is returned by rotation of the side roller portion 47e. The interval between the guide wall 32 and the side roller portion 47e is below the double of the diameter of the predetermined coin so as to allow passage of a single coin at one time under the roller cylinders 47c.

[0018] A partition wall 48 is provided above the separating roller 47 (see Fig. 4). Projections 48a and 48b are formed on the lower edge of the partition wall 48 to be fitted in the grooves 47a and 47b, and prevent the coins 16 from advancing between the partition wall 48 and the separating roller 47 which in this position turns in the direction of pulling the coins 16. A guide portion 50 is formed on the lower edge of the wall 33 along the transport direction, and is provided with an inclined surface on its upper side, which causes the coins 16 situated on the guide portion 50 to slide toward the guide wall 32 until the surface of the first belt 30.

[0019] A magnetic sensor 55 is disposed above the second belt 31 for detecting the coins 16 one by one as illustrated in Fig. 2, and held on the guide wall 32 via a sensor holder 56. Between the sensor holder 56 and the separating roller 47, there is disposed a nip roller 57 for being rotated by the shaft 46 via a gear. The nip roller 57 presses the coins 16 against the second belt 31 so as to prevent the coins 16 from contact with the sensor holder 56 (see Figs. 7 and 8). The magnetic sensor 55 is connected to a judging circuit 58 and outputs a detecting current corresponding to a diameter of a coin as detected. The judging circuit 58 A/D converts the detecting current as a digital signal, and compares the digital signal with a model signal written in a ROM 59. If the digital signal is equal to the model signal, then the judging circuit 58 supplies the microcomputer 43 with a RIGHT signal representing coincidence with a genuine coin or the predetermined kind. If the digital signal is different therefrom, then a WRONG signal is supplied representing a false coin or a different kind. It is noted that a photosensor of a reflection type may be used for detecting the coins 16 instead of the magnetic sensor 55 of the present embodiment.

[0020] Two passage plates 14a and 15a are positioned in positions downstream from the second belt 31, and constitute bottom surfaces of the coin chutes 14 and 15, through which the coins 16 are slid on the passage plate 14a or 15a and is passed down to the hopper apparatus 17 or the coin saucer 18. For selection of the coin chutes 14 and 15, a swingable guide plate 61 is swung by a solenoid 60 and is changed over. The solenoid 60 is connected to the microcomputer 43 via a driver 62, and is driven thereby when a WRONG signal is outputted. The solenoid 60 is stopped by the microcomputer 43 from being driven when a RIGHT signal is outputted or at a lapse of a predetermined period.

[0021] There are signal generators 70 and 71, a subtractive counter 73 and a driver 74 each connected to the microcomputer 43. The coin number specifying buttons 9 to 11 are provided on the signal generator 70 for specifying one number of coins to be played in one game, as one, two or three coins respectively. The signal generator 70 supplies the microcomputer 43 with a coin number specifying signal corresponding to one of the buttons 9 to 11. The coin number specifying signal is supplied to the counter 73 via the microcomputer 43 so as to set the corresponding number of the coins to be played in the counter 73. The count of the counter 73 is decremented by one upon each RIGHT signal supplied from the judging circuit 58. Upon each decrement of the counter 73, the one coin as detected of the predetermined kind is run down on the passage plate 14a of the coin chute 14 toward the hopper apparatus 17. If a WRONG signal is supplied, no decrement is effected in the counter 73, whereas the coin as detected is run down on the passage plate 15a of the coin chute 15 toward the coin saucer 18, because the solenoid 60 is driven upon the WRONG signal to swing the swingable plate 61. When the number of coins to be played in the counter 73 becomes "zero" after repeating decrement of the count then the microcomputer 43 stops the motor 41 from being driven. One as counted finally of the coins 16 of the specified number is kept still on the second belt 31 without advancing to the hopper apparatus 17.

[0022] The slot machine 2 stands by for the start of a game upon detecting the number of coins corresponding to the pressed one of the coin number specifying buttons 9 to 11 by means of the magnetic sensor 55. The final coin is left as such while playing one game including an operation of the start button 4, rotation and standstill of the reels 21 to 23, and the payment of a prize. The unmoved coin is fed to the hopper apparatus 17 on the passage plate 14a, first upon performing the following operation, i.e. for playing another game or for terminating games by pressing the returning button 12.

[0023] The signal generator 71 is connected to the returning button 12 for supplying the microcomputer 43 with a returning signal. The microcomputer 43 sets the judging circuit 58 so as to output a WRONG signal upon receiving every detecting current, drives the motor 41, and allows the above one coin left on the second belt 31 to run down to the hopper apparatus 17. Then, the judging circuit 58 supplies the microcomputer 43 with a WRONG signal for a respective detecting current from the magnetic sensor 55. All the coins as put in the coin containing portion 8 are returned one after another to the coin saucer 18 through the coin chute 15. When the coin containing portion 8 is emptied, the magnetic sensor 55 supplies no detecting current so that no WRONG signal is supplied from the detecting circuit 58. At a lapse of a predetermined period in this state, the microcomputer 43 resets the swingable plate 61 and the detecting circuit 58 stops the motor 14 from being driven, and terminated a control of returning coins. If the returning button 12 is pressed immediately after pressing the coin number specifying buttons 9 to 11, the microcomputer 43 effects not only the above coin returning control but also an extra control of returning coins corresponding to the specified number from the hopper apparatus 17 to the coin saucer 18.

[0024] The operation of the coin supply device in accordance with the present invention will be described next referring to Figs. 4 to 7. The coins 16 as put in the coin containing portion 8 are placed on the first belt 30 and lap one over another.

[0025] Upon pressing the coin number specifying button 11 for three coins for example, the motor 41 is driven to drive the drive rollers 35 and 37 via the timing belt 40. Therefore, both transport belts 30 and 31 are moved in the direction of the arrows. Because the first belt 30 is inclined, upper coins of the lapping coins 16 as put in are slipped on lower coins toward the guide wall 32, so that some of them will be reliably in contact with the guide wall 32 as illustrated in Fig. 2 in a state of lying on the belt 30. Even when the coins 16 fail to slide down toward the guide wall 32, due to friction between the coins 16 and the belt 30, the coins 16 are brought in contact with, and guided by, the guide wall 32 during a transport till the separating roller 47, because the guide wall 32 is formed to be oblique relative to the transport direction. The drive roller 35 transmits rotation to the separating roller 47 via the belt 45 for the counterclockwise direction, and to the nip roller 57 via the gear for the clockwise direction.

[0026] When three coins 16a to 16c lapping together are transported near to the separating roller 47 on the first belt 30 as illustrated in Fig. 4, the upper two coins 16b and 16c are in contact with the roller cylinders 47c and pushed back as illustrated in Fig. 5. The lowest coin 16a is in no contact with the roller cylinders 47c and is advanced thereunder by the first belt 30.

[0027] When the rear end of the coin 16a is moved to the position below the separating roller 47, the second lowest coin 16b is slipped down from the upper surface of the lowest coin 16a as illustrated in Fig. 6. The front end of the coin 16a is at this moment in contact with the surface of the second belt 31, and pressed by the nip roller 57 against the second belt 31. The coin 16a in transport on the second belt 31 is kept from contact with the sensor holder 56 as illustrated in Fig. 7 and passes below it. The coins 16 in transport on the second belt 31 passes exactly below the magnetic sensor 55, due to the inclination of the guide wall 32 relative to the second belt 31. The second belt 31 is moved at the speed higher than the first belt 31, so that it is possible to enlarge intervals of coins 16 in line as illustrated in Fig. 8. The magnetic sensor 55 thus can detect the individual coins 16.

[0028] Although the coin supply device 13 incorporated in the slot machine 2 is described according to the above embodiment, the coin supply device may be also used in other gaming machines, a vending machine, or a coin-operated machine of any kind.

[0029] Although the present invention has been fully described by way of the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims, they should be construed as included therein.

Claims

1. A coin supply device for supplying a coin-operated machine with coins one by one, comprising:

a coin containing portion (8) to receive plurality of manually inserted coins;

a first transport belt (30) connected round a first downstream roller (35) and a second upstream roller (36) for transporting said coins supplied from said coin containing portion (8);

a first guide wall (32) provided along a direction of transport of said first transport belt substantially upright relative to said first transport belt; and

a separating roller (47) provided close to said transport belt (30) and for rotating in the same direction as said downstream roller (35) in order to allow to pass a lowest coin of said supplied coins lapping one over another on said first transport belt (30) to be supplied to said coin-operated machine and to push back coins lapping over said lowest coin, characterised in that the separating roller (47) is positioned above and directly opposite the first downstream roller (35) and defines with said first transport belt (30) a spacing of between substantially the thickness and twice the thickness of a coin of a predetermined kind at the point where the first transport belt (30) passes around the first downstream roller (35).

2. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supplied coins are transported lying on said first transport belt (30).

3. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said coin-operated machine is a slot machine, which incorporates said first transport belt (30), said first guide wall (32) and said separating roller (47), and on which said coin containing portion (8) is externally exposed.

4. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising guide means (47e) disposed face to face with said first guide wall (32) for preventing two coins situated laterally relative to said transport direction from passing under said separating roller (47).

5. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said guide means (47e) is a side roller portion formed integrally with said separating roller (47).

6. A coin supply device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second transport belt (31) disposed to be downstream from said first transport belt (30) for receiving and transporting said coins fed one by one through said spacing, said second transport belt (31) being driven at a speed higher than said first transport (30) in order to enlarge intervals of said coins supplied from said first transport belt (30).

7. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a motor (41) and a drive belt (40) driven by said motor (41) for driving said first (30) and second (31) transport belts and said separating roller (47).

8. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said drive belt (40) is connected round said downstream roller (35), which rotates to drive said first transport belt (30).

9. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

a sensor (55) disposed over said second transport belt (31) for supplying a signal corresponding to a coin passed thereunder;

judging means (58) for judging whether said passed coin is said predetermined kind in accordance with said coin signal received from said sensor (55); and

changeover means (61) for changing over a direction of feeding said passed coin transported by said second transport belt (31) in accordance with a result of judgment in said judging means (58).

10. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said direction changeover means (61) includes:

a first coin chute (14) disposed in a position downstream from said second transport belt (31) for passing coins towards a hopper apparatus (17) of said slot machine;

a second coin chute (15) disposed in a position downstream from said second transport belt (31) beside said first coin chute (14) for passing coins toward a coin outlet (18) of said slot machine;

a movable guide plate (61) movable for passing said coin transport by said second transport belt (31) to either of said first and second coin chutes (14,15); and

means (60) for moving said movable plate (61) in accordance with said judging result in said judging means (58) so as to allow said coin passed under said sensor (55) to enter said first coin chute (14) when corresponding to said predetermined kind and to allow said passed coin to enter said second coin chute (15) when differing from said predetermined kind.

11. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising control means (43,73) which counts coins judged by said judging means (55) as said predetermined kind.

12. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of manually operable coin number specifying switches (9-11) provided corresponding to numbers of coins to be played in one game for being operated to specify said numbers of coins to be fed to said hopper apparatus (17) at once, said control means (43) controlling said movable plate (61) and said first said second transport belts (30,31) in accordance with a coin number signal supplied from either of said coin number specifying switches (9-11) in order to feed said specified number of coins to said hopper apparatus (17).

13. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a manually operable returning switch (12) for being operated to feed all said supplied coins to said coin outlet (18), said control means (43) controlling said movable plate (61) and said first and second transport belts (30,31) in accordance with a returning signal supplied from said returning switch (12).

14. A coin supply device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
   said first transport belt (30) is positioned in a widthwise inclination so that the lateral edge of a side of said first guide wall (32) is lower than a lateral edge of an opposite side in order to situate said coins on said side of said first guide wall (32); and the first guide wall (32) extends across the surface of the first transport belt (30) obliquely to the direction of movement thereof and towards the middle of the first transport belt (30) to define, in use, the direction of movement of said supplied coins from a lateral side by contact with the supplied coins during transport on the first transport belt (30).

15. A coin supply device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a partition wall (48) provided close to said separating roller (47) substantially over said separating roller (47) with a spacing less than the said thickness to prevent said coins from passing over said separating roller (47);

at least one annular groove (47a,b) formed around said separating roller (47), a width of said annular groove (47a,b) in an axial direction being smaller than a diameter of said predetermined kind of coin; and

at least one projecting portion (48a,b) formed on said partition wall (48) to extend into said annular groove (47a,b) in order to prevent said coins in cooperation with said annular (47a,b) groove from advancing between said partition wall (48) and said separating roller (47).

16. A coin supply device as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one roller cylinder (47c) defined beside said annular groove (47a,b) on a surface of said separating roller (47) has a width in the axial direction smaller than said diameter of said predetermined kind of coin.

17. A coin supply device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a second wall (33) provided along said transport direction of said first transport belt (30) substantially upright relative to said first transport belt (30) for defining a space with said first guide wall (32) for reserving said coins therebetween; and

a guide portion (50) formed on said second wall (33) to project toward said separating roller (47), said guide portion (50) having an upper surface inclined in a degree larger than said inclination of said first transport belt (30) in order to cause coins advancing to a position between said separating roller (47) and said second wall (33) to slip toward a position directly upstream from said separating roller (47).

Ansprüche

1. Münzzuteilvorrichtung zum Einzelzuführen von Münzen zu einer münzbetätigten Maschine umfassend:

- einen Münzen enthaltenden Abschnitt (8) zur Aufnahme mehrerer händisch eingebrachter Münzen,

- ein erstes Transportband (30), das eine erste in Bewegungsrichtung vordere Walze (35) und eine zweite in Bewegungsrichtung hintere Walze (36) umfaßt, um über den Münzen enthaltenden Abschnitt (8) zugeführte Münzen zu transportieren,

- eine erste Führungswand (32) entlang der Bewegungsrichtung des ersten Transportbandes, im wesentlichen zum ersten Transportband senkrecht stehend, und

- eine Trennwalze (47), die nahe dem Transportband (30) angeordnet ist und sich in der gleichen Richtung wie die in Bewegungsrichtung vordere Walze (35) dreht, um den Durchtritt der untersten Münze der zugeführten Münzen zu gestatten, die überlappend auf dem ersten Transportband (30) zur münzbetätigten Maschine zugeführt werden und um die unterste Münze überlappende Münzen zurückzudrücken,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Trennwalze (47) oberhalb und genau gegenüberliegend der ersten in Bewegungsrichtung vorderen Walze (35) angeordnet ist und zum ersten Transportband (30) einen Abstand zwischen im wesentlichen der Dicke oder der doppelten Dicke einer Münze einer vorbestimmten Art an jenem Punkt hat, wo das erste Transportband (30) um die erste in Bewegungsrichtung vordere Walze (35) läuft.

2. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die zugeführten Münzen auf dem ersten Transportband (30) liegend bewegt werden.

3. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei der die münzbetätigte Maschine eine Schlitzmaschine ist, die das erste Transportband (30), die erste Führungswand (32) und die Trennwalze (47) aufweist, und bei der der die Münzen enthaltende Abschnitt (8) von außen zugänglich ist.

4. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, die weiters eine Führungseinrichtung (47e) aufweist, die der ersten Führungswand (32) gegenüberliegt, um zu verhindern, daß zwei Münzen seitlich voneinander relativ zur Bewegungsrichtung angeordnet sind und unter der Trennwalze (47) hindurchtreten.

5. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, bei der die Führungseinrichtung (47e) ein Seitewalzenabschnitt ist, der mit der Trennwalze (47) einstückig ist.

6. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die weiters ein zweites Transportband (31) in Bewegungsrichtung vor dem ersten Transportband (30) gelegen zur Aufnahme und zum Transport jener Münzen umfaßt, die nacheinander durch den Abstand zugeführt werden, wobei das zweite Transportband (31) mit einer Geschwindigkeit angetrieben wird, die höher als die des ersten Transportbandes (30) ist, um die Abstände der vom ersten Transportband (30) zugeführten Münzen zu vergrößern.

7. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie weiters einen Motor (41) und ein Antriebsband (40) umfaßt, das durch den Motor (41) zum Antrieb des ersten und des zweiten Transportbandes (30, 31) und der Trennwalze (47) angetrieben wird.

8. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, bei der das Antriebsband (40) um die in Bewegungsrichtung vordere Walze (35) geführt ist, die zum Antrieb des ersten Transportbandes (30) gedreht wird.

9. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, weiters umfassend:

- einen Sensor (55) oberhalb des zweiten Transportbandes (31) zur Abgabe eines Signales entsprechend einer darunter durchgeführten Münze,

- eine Feststelleinrichtung (58) zum Feststellen, ob die vorbeigeführte Münze von der vorbestimmten Art in Übereinstimmung mit dem vom Sensor (55) aufgenommenen Signal ist, und

- Umschalteinrichtungen (61), um eine Zufuhrrichtung der vorbeigeführten Münze zu transportieren, die durch das zweite Transportband (31) entsprechend einem Feststellergebnis der Feststelleinrichtung (58) umgeschaltet worden ist.

10. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, bei der die Richtungsumschalteinrichtungen (61) umfassen:

- einen ersten Münzschacht (14) in Bewegungsrichtung vor dem zweiten Transportband (31),angeordnet um Münzen zu einer Trichtervorrichtung (17) der Schlitzmaschine zu bringen,

- einen zweiten Münzschacht (15) in Bewegungsrichtung vor dem zweiten Transportband (31) und neben dem ersten Münzschacht (14), angeordnet um Münzen zu einem Münzauslaß (18) der Schlitzmaschine zu bringen,

- eine bewegliche Führungsplatte (61), die bewegbar ist, um den Münztransport durch das zweite Transportband (31) entweder zum ersten oder zum zweiten Münzschacht (14, 15) zu bringen, und

- Einrichtungen (60), um die bewegliche Platte (61) entsprechend dem Feststellergebnis in der Feststelleinrichtung (58) zu bewegen, um es so der Münze zu gestatten, die unter dem Sensor (55) hindurchgetreten ist, in den ersten Münzschacht (14) einzutreten, wenn sie der vorbestimmten Art entspricht und es der durchtretenden Münze zu gestatten, in den zweiten Münzschacht (15) einzutreten, wenn sie sich von der vorbestimmten Art unterscheidet.

11. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, die weiters Kontrolleinrichtungen (43, 73) aufweist, die Münzen zählt, die von den Feststelleinrichtung (55) als von der vorbestimmten Art betrachtet werden.

12. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, die weiters mehrere händisch betätigbare, die Münzzahl spezifizierende Schalter (9 bis 11) aufweist, die der in einem Spiel zu spielenden Münzzahl entsprechen, um die Zahl der Münzen, die dem Trichter (17) gleichzeitig zugeführt werden, zu spezifizieren, wobei die Kontrolleinrichtungen (43) die bewegliche Platte (61) und das erste und zweite Transportband (30, 31) entsprechend einem Münzzahlsignal steuern, das von einem der Münzzahl spezifizierenden Schalter (9-11) abgegeben wird, um die spezifizierte Zahl an Münzen dem Trichter (17) zuzuführen.

13. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es weiters einen händisch betätigbaren Rückkehrschalter (12) aufweist, um alle zugeführten Münzen dem Münzauslaß (18) zuzuführen, wobei die Kontrolleinrichtung (43) die bewegliche Platte (61) und das erste und zweite Transportband (30, 31) entsprechend dem Rückkehrsignal, das vom Rückkehrschalter (12) zugeführt wird, steuert

14. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei:

- das erste Transportband (30) der Breite nach geneigt angeordnet ist, so daß der seitliche Rand einer Seite der ersten Führungswand (32) tiefer liegt als ein seitlicher Rand der gegenüberliegenden Seite, um so die Münzen an dieser Seite der ersten Führungswand (32) anzuordnen, und wobei sich die erste Führungswand (32) über die Oberfläche des ersten Transportbandes (30) erstreckt, und zwar schräg zu dessen Bewegungsrichtung und gegen die Mitte des ersten Transportbandes (30) hin, um bei Verwendung die Bewegungsrichtung der zugeführten Münzen von der Seite durch Kontakt mit den zugeführten Münzen während des Transportes auf dem ersten Transportband (30) festzulegen.

15. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, daß sie weiters umfaßt:

- eine Trennwand (48), die sich nahe der Trennwalze (47) im wesentlichen über der Trennwalze (47) mit einem Abstand von weniger als der Dicke der Münze erstreckt, um zu verhindern, daß Münzen über der Trennwalze (47) passieren,

- wobei wenigstens eine ringförmige Nut (47a, b) am Umfang der Trennwalze (47) ausgebildet ist, wobei die Breite der ringförmigen Nut (47a, b) in axialer Richtung geringer ist als ein Durchmesser der vorbestimmten Münzart, und

- wobei wenigstens ein vorstehender Abschnitt (48a, b) auf der Trennwand (48) ausgebildet ist, um sich in die ringförmige Nut (47a, b) zu erstrecken und so im Zusammenwirken mit der ringförmigen Nut (47a, b) zu verhindern, daß Münzen sich zwischen der Trennwand (48) und der Trennwalze (47) fortbewegen.

16. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach Anspruch 15, bei der wenigstens ein Walzzylinder (47c), der neben der ringförmigen Nut (47a, b) auf einer Oberfläche der Trennwalze (47) ausgebildet ist, in axialer Richtung eine Breite hat, die geringer ist als der Durchmesser der vorbestimmten Münzart.

17. Münzzuteilvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die weiters umfaßt:

- eine zweite Wand (33) entlang der Bewegungsrichtung des ersten Transportbandes (30), die im wesentlichen senkrecht zum ersten Transportband (30) steht, um einen Raum mit der ersten Führungswand (32) für dazwischen verbleibende Münzen zu bilden, und

- einen Führungsabschnitt (50), der an der zweiten Wand (33) ausgebildet ist, um sich gegen die Trennwalze (47) zu erstrecken, wobei der Führungsabschnitt (50) eine obere Fläche hat, die in stärkerem Ausmaß als die Neigung des ersten Transportbandes (30) geneigt ist, um so Münzen, die einer Lage zwischen der Trennwalze (47) und der zweiten Wand (33) zustreben, dazu zu bewegen, in eine Lage in Bewegungsrichtung direkt hinter der Trennwalze (47) zu gleiten.

Revendications

1. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces pour alimenter en pièces, une par une, une machine actionnée par des pièces, comprenant :

une partie contenant les pièces (8) pour recevoir une multiplicité de pièces introduites à la main;

une première bande transporteuse (30) montée entre un premier rouleau aval (35) et un deuxième rouleau amont (36) pour transporter lesdites pièces fournies par ladite partie contenant les pièces (8);

une première paroi de guidage (32) prévue dans la direction de transport de ladite première bande transporteuse et pratiquement perpendiculaire à ladite première bande de transport; et

un rouleau séparateur (47) prévu au voisinage de ladite bande de transport (30) et tournant dans la même direction que ledit rouleau aval (35) pour permettre le passage de la pièce la plus basse desdites pièces fournies empilées l'une sur l'autre sur ladite première bande de transport (30) pour que cette pièce soit amenée à ladite machine actionnée par pièces et pour repousser vers l'arrière les pièces superposées sur ladite pièce la plus basse, caractérisé en ce que le rouleau séparateur (47) est disposé au-dessus du premier rouleau aval (35) et directement en vis-à-vis de celui-ci et définit avec ladite première bande de transport (30) un intervalle compris entre pratiquement l'épaisseur et deux fois l'épaisseur d'une pièce d'un type prédéterminé à un endroit où la première bande de transport (30) passe autour du premier rouleau aval (35).

2. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdites pièces fournies sont transportées en reposant sur ladite première bande de transport (30).

3. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite machine actionnée par des pièces est une machine à sous, qui comprend ladite première bande de transport (30), ladite première paroi de guidage (32) et ledit rouleau séparateur (47), et sur laquelle ladite partie contenant les pièces (8) est exposée à l'extérieur.

4. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon l'une des revendications 1, 2 ou 3, comprenant en outre un moyen de guidage (47e) disposé en vis-à-vis de ladite première paroi de guidage (32) pour empêcher deux pièces situées l'une à côté de l'autre dans la direction du transport de passer sous ledit rouleau séparateur (47).

5. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ledit moyen de guidage (47e) est constitué par une partie de rouleau latérale formée d'un seul tenant avec ledit rouleau séparateur (47).

6. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre une deuxième bande de transport (31) disposée en aval de ladite première bande de transport (30) pour recevoir et transporter lesdites pièces amenées une par une à travers ledit intervalle, ladite deuxième bande de transport (31) étant entraînée à une vitesse supérieure à ladite première bande de transport (30) afin d'agrandir les distances entre lesdites pièces fournies par ladite première bande de transport (30).

7. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre un moteur (41) et une courroie d'entraînement (40) entraînée par ledit moteur (41) pour entraîner lesdites première (30) et deuxième (31) bandes de transport et ledit rouleau séparateur (47).

8. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ladite courroie d'entraînement (40) est passée autour dudit rouleau aval (35), qui tourne pour entraîner ladite première bande de transport (30).

9. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre :

un capteur (55) disposé au-dessus de ladite deuxième bande de transport (31) pour fournir un signal correspondant au passage d'une pièce sous lui;

des moyens de jugement (58) pour juger si ladite pièce passée est dudit type prédéterminé en fonction dudit signal de pièce reçu dudit capteur (55); et

des moyens de commutation (61) pour commuter une direction de passage de ladite pièce passée transportée par ladite deuxième bande de transport (31) en fonction du résultat du jugement desdits moyens de jugement (58).

10. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 9, dans lequel lesdits moyens de commutation de direction (61) comprennent :

une première goulotte de pièces (14) disposée en aval de ladite deuxième bande de transport (31) pour faire passer les pièces en direction d'un appareil à trémie (17) de ladite machine à sous;

une deuxième goulotte de pièces (15) disposée en aval de ladite deuxième bande de transport (31) à côté de ladite première goulotte de pièces (14) pour faire passer les pièces en direction d'une sortie de pièces (18) de ladite machine à sous;

une plaque de guidage mobile (61), mobile pour faire passer ladite pièce transportée par ladite deuxième bande de transport (41) vers l'une ou l'autre desdites première et deuxième goulottes de pièces (14, 15); et

des moyens (60) pour déplacer ladite plaque mobile (61) en fonction du résultat du jugement desdits moyens de jugement (58) pour permettre à ladite pièce passée sous ledit capteur (55) d'entrer dans ladite première goulotte de pièces (14) lorsqu'elle correspond audit type prédéterminé et pour permettre à ladite pièce passée d'entrer dans la deuxième goulotte de pièces (15) lorsqu'elle diffère dudit type prédéterminé.

11. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 10, comprenant en outre des moyens de commande (43, 73) qui comptent les pièces jugées par lesdits moyens de jugement (55) en tant que ledit type prédéterminé.

12. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 11, comprenant en outre plusieurs interrupteurs spécifiant le nombre de pièces et actionnables à la main (9-11) prévus en correspondance d'un nombre de pièces à jouer en une partie, ces interrupteurs étant actionnés pour spécifier lesdits nombres de pièces à amener audit appareil à trémie (17) en une seule fois, lesdits moyens de commande (43) commandant ladite plaque mobile (61) et lesdites première et deuxième bandes de transport (30, 31) en fonction d'un signal de nombre de pièces fourni par l'un ou l'autre desdits interrupteurs spécifiant le nombre de pièces (9-11) afin d'amener ledit nombre spécifié de pièces audit appareil à trémie (17).

13. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 12, comprenant en outre un interrupteur de retour actionnable à la main (12) destiné à être actionné pour amener toutes lesdites pièces fournies à ladite sortie de pièces (18), lesdits moyens de commande (43) commandant ladite plaque mobile (61) et lesdites première et deuxième bandes de transport (30, 31) en fonction d'un signal de retour fourni par ledit interrupteur de retour (12).

14. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel :
ladite première bande de transport (30) est disposée en étant inclinée dans le sens de la largeur de telle sorte que le bord latéral d'un côté de ladite première paroi de guidage (32) est plus bas que le bord latéral du côté opposé afin de situer lesdites pièces sur ledit côté de ladite première paroi de guidage (32); et la première paroi de guidage (32) s'étend en travers de la surface de la première bande de transport (30) en oblique par rapport à la direction de déplacement de cette bande et en direction du milieu de la première bande de transport (30) pour définir, en utilisation, la direction du mouvement desdites pièces fournies depuis un bord latéral par contact avec les pièces fournies pendant le transport sur la première bande de transport (30).

15. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre :

une paroi de séparation (48) prévue à proximité dudit rouleau séparateur (47) et pratiquement au-dessus dudit rouleau séparateur (47) en ménageant un intervalle inférieur à ladite épaisseur pour empêcher lesdites pièces de passer sur ledit rouleau séparateur (47);

au moins une gorge annulaire (47a,b) formée autour dudit rouleau séparateur (47), la largeur de ladite gorge annulaire (47a,b) dans une direction axiale étant inférieure au diamètre dudit type prédéterminé de pièce; et

au moins une portion saillante (48a,b) formée sur ladite paroi de séparation (48) pour s'étendre dans ladite gorge annulaire (47a,b) afin d'empêcher lesdites pièces en coopération avec ladite gorge annulaire (47a,b) d'avancer entre ladite paroi de séparation (48) et ledit rouleau séparateur (47).

16. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon la revendication 15, dans lequel au moins une partie cylindrique de rouleau (47c) définie à côté de ladite gorge annulaire (17a,b) sur une surface dudit rouleau séparateur (47) a, dans la direction axiale, une largeur inférieure audit diamètre dudit type prédéterminé de pièce.

17. Dispositif d'alimentation en pièces selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre :

une deuxième paroi (33) prévue dans la direction de transport de ladite première bande de transport (30) et pratiquement perpendiculaire à ladite première bande de transport (30) pour définir un espace avec ladite première paroi de guidage (32) pour retenir entre elles lesdites pièces; et

une portion de guidage (50) formée sur ladite deuxième paroi (33) pour se projeter en direction dudit rouleau séparateur (47), ladite portion de guidage (50) ayant une surface supérieure inclinée à un degré plus grand que ladite inclinaison de ladite première bande de transport (30) afin que les pièces avançant jusqu'à une position entre ledit rouleau séparateur (47) et ladite deuxième paroi (33) glissent vers une position directement en amont dudit rouleau séparateur (47).

Drawing